January 11, 2008

Richard Boyatzis named H.R. Horvitz Professor of Family Business at Weatherhead School of Management

An international expert in the field of organizational behavior, psychology and cognitive science at Case Western Reserve University, Richard E. Boyatzis has been appointed the H.R. Horvitz Professor of Family Business at the Weatherhead School of Management.

The Horvitz Professorship of Family Business, established in 2001 to support research and education in the field of family business, was created by the family of the late newspaper publisher and cable television executive Harry R. Horvitz.

This professorship will focus Boyatzis's academic work on leadership effectiveness and leadership development in the context of family businesses.

"I am very pleased to announce Richard Boyatzis as the Horvitz Professor of Family Business at the Weatherhead School," said Dean Mohan Reddy. "Professor Boyatzis is a valued and respected member of our faculty, and this recognition of his outstanding work is well warranted."

A teacher, psychologist, therapist and author, Boyatzis has written more than 140 scholarly articles on behavior change, leadership, competencies and emotional intelligence. Primal Leadership, co-authored with Daniel Goleman, became a New York Times bestseller and introduced emotional intelligence into the workplace.

His research focuses on the development of sustainable, desired change from individuals, to dyads, teams, organizations, countries and global levels, and the role of leadership.

"Family businesses are one of the most enduring and fundamental forms of organizations, and a major driver of economic development," said Boyatzis. "At the same time, they benefit and suffer from all of the complex emotional dynamics within an extended family. They combine the intensity of a holiday, family dinner with the demands of a competitive, business environment. Both the economy and the future of many families depend on growing insight into how to develop and grow family businesses."

Michael Horvitz, Harry Horvitz's son and of counsel to the international law firm Jones Day, is himself an adviser to family businesses. Speaking of the appointment of Boyatzis, Horvitz said "Our entire family is delighted that such a distinguished scholar will be occupying the Horvitz chair. We believe that family businesses will benefit greatly from Dr. Boyatzis's sophisticated insight into their complexity and the special issues they have in developing effective leadership and succession."

Boyatzis joined the Case Western Reserve faculty in 1987 and has received several notable teaching, service and research awards. He is the only "triple crown" winner at the Weatherhead School, winning teaching, services and research awards.

Boyatzis has a bachelor's degree in aeronautics and astronautics from MIT and a master's degree and Ph.D. in social psychology from Harvard University. His seventh book, Becoming a Resonant Leader: Develop Your Emotional Intelligence, Renew Your Relationships, Sustain Your Effectiveness, co-authored with Annie McKee and Fran Johnston, is due out in February. The book completes a series that began with Primal Leadership and Resonant Leadership.

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